Hi all, I'll be visiting Japan for the first time (solo from Australia) this October from Oct 10 – 21 and wanted to get some feedback/thoughts/suggestions based on what I have so far.
Ideally, I'd like to experience some of the known tourist spots, but wouldn't mind straying a little from the well trodden path to learn/immerse myself into Japanese history, culture, and sport. I'm definitely NOT keen on spending any large amounts of time on shopping, but still keen to get suggestions on cool/"authentic" souvenirs for my family and partner.
I plan to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka during this time.
Day 0 – Oct 10 (Arrive Tokyo)
- Depart Australia and arrive Tokyo Haneda to around 8pm local time
- Take the train(s) to Roppongi station as my hotel is only a minute's walk away
- Convenience store food and sleep
Day 1 – Oct 11
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Meiji Jingu Castle
- Yoyogi Park
- Explore Takeshita street in Harajuku street
- If/when I get tired, go to the Tokyu Plaza rooftop garden to relax and take it easy
- Shibuya Crossing
- Shibuya Sky (I know I'll have to book somewhat in advance)
Day 2 – Oct 12
- Senso-ji temple relatively early in the morning
- Tokyo national musuem (Afternoon)
- Walk along the Sumida river (Evening)
- Tokyo Sky tree?? (if I'm exhausted and just wanted to take in another view)
Day 3 – Oct 13
- Explore Ginza 6 shopping centre
- Go to Happy Pancakes for breakfast
- Backstreets bicycle tour of Tokyo (4 hours in the arvo)
- Teamlab Borderless (if I have the energy as it's relatively close to my hotel)
Day 4 – Oct 14
- Day trip to Mount Fuji/Kawaguchiko
- Early Bus from Shinjuku station to Shimo Yoshida bus stop
- Walk up to the Arakura Sengen Park Observatory for the Pagoda and Mount Fuji View
- Get some ice cream (it looked really good in YT vids I've watched)
- Walk around the lake and enjoy the views until the evening
- Return back to Tokyo on the bus
Day 5 – Oct 15
- Open Air Architecture Museum
- Quick Souvenir shopping? (happy for suggestions)
- Read a book in one of the parks
- TBD – if there's a baseball game in/near Tokyo, I'll try and go to it
Day 6 – Oct 16 (Depart Tokyo/Arrive Kyoto)
- Leave Tokyo from Tokyo Station fairly early in the morning (I'll make sure to get some Ekiben for the train ride)
- Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto Station
- Samurai Ninja Museum (60-90 min tour)
- Yasaka Shrine and then Kiyomizu-dera
- Check into hotel (right next to Kyoto station) and then explore the station itself
- Happy to make more suggestions for the evening 🙂
Day 7 – Oct 17
- Arashiyama Bamboo forest
- Arashiyama Monkey Park
- Fushimi Inari
Day 8 – Oct 18 (Depart Kyoto – Daytrip to Nara then Arrive Osaka
- Take train from Kyoto Station to Nara
- Nara Deer Park
- Todaiji
- Train from Nara to Osaka and check into hotel in Shinsaibashi area
- Explore Dotonbori area for vibes and dinner
- Maybe Dotonbori canal cruise
Day 9 – Oct 19
- Osaka Castle
- J League game (Cereza Osaka home game) at 3pm local time
- Umedy Sky or Harukas 300 Observatory at night
Day 10 – Oct 20
- Hiroshima Day Trip
- Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka station to Hiroshima
- Hiroshima Peace memorial park and museum
- Ferry to Miyajima Island
- Train back to Hiroshima and then Shinkansen back to Osaka
Day 11 – Oct 21
- Osaka Tea Ceremony near Dotonbori in the morning
- Early afternoon train from Osaka to Tokyo (Green car as a treat)
- Narita Express from Tokyo station to Narita
- Fly back to Australia around 8pm
by Hazardouzz